CSR: BPO for differently abled has sound future

BPO for differently abled has sound future.....Priyanka Golikeri Vindhya, a venture of Pavithra Y S, is looking to double its employee base of close to 300 in

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, Apr 1, 2012

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BPO for differently abled has sound
future.....Priyanka GolikeriVindhya, a venture of Pavithra Y S, is looking
to double its employee base of close to 300 in one year

While pursuing her chartered accountancy a few
years ago, Pavithra YS had never imagined that one day she would start her own
organisation and employ close to 300 people.

With no prior work experience and content with
matrimonial responsibilities, Pavithra was clueless about organisational
environment and work culture, let alone the challenges that go with starting an
enterprise.

During her CA days she realised that unlike
physically fit people like her, job opportunities for the disabled were
scant.

This prompted Pavithra to dig into her (and her
husbandï¿½s) savings, scout for bank loans and put together an enterprise that
would focus on employing the disabled and those from below poverty line and
rural areas.

With no prior work experience and content with
matrimonial responsibilities, Pavithra was completely clueless about
organisational environment and work culture, let alone the challenges that go
with starting an enterprise.

Today Vindhya E-Infomedia, the BPO Pavithra and her
husband Ashok Giri started in Bangalore in 2006, employs 300, with 90% having
various orthopaedic and hearing disabilities. From the receptionist G Srinivas,
who lost his hands while working as an electrician, to polio-afflicted Vasantha
Kumari, who heads a 15-member team, employees in Vindhya experience a feeling of
belonging and confidence.

ï¿½We started with just two people, with the strength
increasing to 22 by the end of the first year, and touched hundred plus by the
third,ï¿½ says Pavithra.

Pavithra moved beyond two perceived notions
regarding disabled people while setting up Vindhya. Firstly, by stressing that
the enterprise is not non-profit and that it worked with the motive of making
money like any regular BPO. ï¿½Non-profit may not have been sustainable in the
long run and the employees need to know that there is no air of charity here.
They work and get their salaries like in any other organisation,ï¿½ says
Pavithra.

Secondly, she wanted to stay away from domains such
as handicrafts, weaving, etc where disabled people have traditionally found
employment. Bangalore being the IT city, she felt there would be ample
opportunities in the BPO space if clients are assured of quality and timely
services.

There is always a question mark over whether these
people are productive, says Pavithra. ï¿½We erase those doubts by training the
employees for 15 days.ï¿½

Though the basic eligibility required for a person
to work in Vindhya is that he should have cleared class 10, has basic typing and
computer skills and an understanding of English; there are MBAs, engineers, and
graduates, too, working in the BPO.

ï¿½Though it was initially difficult to convince
clients, the business is growing favourably,ï¿½ says Pavithra. So apart from their
headquarters in Bangalore, Vindhya has expanded to New Delhi and
Hubli.

Vindhya is looking at expanding its employee base
to 500-700 by March next. It sources its manpower through referrals, NGOs, and
by holding camps in rural areas. ï¿½The employees are not just from Bangalore but
also states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, who are provided with subsidised
accommodation,ï¿½ says Pavithra.

She says most are freshers (without any previous
work experience) and are now able to support their families, marry, pay back
loans, move from villages to metros and talk of career growth.

Take the example of Kumari. She joined as a team
member four years ago and has slowly climbed the ladder. She now takes home a
decent salary which helps in paying her 11-year-old daughterï¿½s school fees.
Srinivas has managed to find a bride and supports his old mother despite having
lost his hands.